It is the study of how indigenous peoples use plants. Indigenous plants are used for food, medicine, ritual, but particularly medicine. Ancient rain-forest remedies can provide the leads to modern medicines. Ethnobotanical research is a streamlined way of locating plants that have medical potential.Less than 1% of the world’s 265,000 flowering plants have had their effectiveness tested against disease.Most species are found in tropical rain forests.

Homalanthus Nutans plays an important role in Samoan healing.The stem wood is used to treat yellow hepatitis.

The tea from the bark is used for the treatment of hepatitis.The potion is made from the stems of the small Samoan tree, Homalanthus nutans. Prostratin, a protein kinase C activator, was isolated from the potion. Prostratin protects cells from the HIV virus and exposes hidden virus. It has been tested by the AIDS Research Alliance as an anti-AIDS medication.